CNN announced Wednesday that Kathleen Parker and Eliot Spitzer will host its new 8 p.m. program.

Washington (CNN) - Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer and 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Kathleen Parker will co-host a new hour long CNN primetime news program starting in the fall as the nation prepares for the 2010 midterm election, the network announced Wednesday morning.

The yet-to-be-named “roundtable discussion” program will air at 8 p.m. ET replacing Campbell Brown.

“Other cable news channels force-feed viewers one narrow, predictable point of view; in contrast, CNN will be offering a lively roundup of all the best ideas – presented by two of the most intelligent and outspoken figures in the country,” Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S., said in a statement released by the network. “Eliot and Kathleen are beholden to no vested interest – in fact, quite the opposite: they are renowned for taking on the most powerful targets and most important causes.”

Parker, whose columns appear in over 400 newspapers twice a week, in April received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. She describes herself as a “rational” conservative.

“As a veteran print journalist, I am appropriately respectful of the challenges posed by the medium,” said Parker. “But I'm thrilled by the opportunity to discuss the issues that matter to me —and that aren't heard often enough on television—in a conversation with one of the nation's most brilliant, fearless and original thinkers. With Eliot Spitzer as my co-host, Wall Street and Main Street will finally meet. It can't possibly be boring.”

Spitzer, a Democrat who resigned as governor in March 2008 after acknowledging visiting a prostitute, is a well respected political mind and a take-no-prisoners prosecutor who has been often referred to as the “Sheriff of Wall Street.”

“Kathleen is an extraordinary intellect whose sharp observations and wit are certain to resonate with viewers,” said Spitzer. “I look forward to working alongside her in a discussion that will inform, challenge, and entertain. I am grateful to CNN for the opportunity to co-host a show that will advance the discussion of the defining issues of our time.”

soundoff(139 Responses)

Marlene

Why in the world would Cnn and Ms Parker team with the "John" Spitzer? AKA "the Sheriff of Wall Street", the John of Proz Street" the "shameless breaker of the law"??? How soon we forget! Oh, right he's a man and that's different. Please! How about a show title: The rational Conservative meets the Street John. Marlene in Mich

June 23, 2010 11:19 am at 11:19 am |

Wisconsinite

Does "replacing Campbell Brown" mean that she's gone from CNN completely or just moved to a different time slot?? I really hope she's GONE! Her style of commentary is much more suited to Faux News than CNN . . . maybe she can find a new job there! I'll probably check this show out . . . . no matter what anyone's opinion of Eliot Spitzer's private life, he really IS very savvy about politics.

June 23, 2010 11:20 am at 11:20 am |

Dennis Duncan

This is just another example of lack of integrity in the media. CNN should not provide someone with the lack of integrity like Sptizer a forum to host anything. But it all about money and has nothing to do with integrity doesn't it? Will he comment about the integrity of politican's? He will be a real moral voice for the CNN. Another good reason not to watch the show.

June 23, 2010 11:20 am at 11:20 am |

Seriously?

They couldn't find anyone better? He's gross!

June 23, 2010 11:21 am at 11:21 am |

Rick McDaniel

I will make sure I skip that one.

June 23, 2010 11:22 am at 11:22 am |

Patti Zimmerman

Eliot Spitzer is a brilliant choice.

June 23, 2010 11:22 am at 11:22 am |

Congrats to You Both

I am anxiously awaiting this team. I will start watching television again, between 7-9 p.m. I am so turned off watching ALL cable news I chose this time to do my exercise. It is good to see we have some intelligent and well-respected persons joining the airwaves and NOT one-tracked-minded-presenters which have taken over cable news.

I will plan ahead now. Thanks for the heads-up CNN, and thank you Jon Klein for bringing classy people to CNN.

June 23, 2010 11:23 am at 11:23 am |

Scott Peters

Sometimes I wonder what is the impetus for hiring CNN hosts. Take for instance Eliot Spitzer. He is a disgraced former Governor who is arguably one of the most hypocritical politicians to ever to hold office. Please, please CNN, explain what was the motivation to hire this man???

June 23, 2010 11:25 am at 11:25 am |

Sue

Elliot Spitzer??? Hahahahahahahaaa, this show should be a real hit--NOT.

Will Spitzer also be giving information on which escort services offer the best deals in New York-–in other words, which one gives 'more bang for the buck'.

June 23, 2010 11:26 am at 11:26 am |

John Lohr

A new low for CNN. What the article doesn't say is the "disgraced" former Governor of NY. The"respected political mind" thought he was above the law and basic morality. I guess he'll fit right in as a political commentator .

June 23, 2010 11:30 am at 11:30 am |

John Spring

I'm looking forward to that program Eliot Spitzer is the only public official that has ever responded when he was AG and governor. I saw his brillant lecture at Harvard Law school last fall.

Now your thinking.

June 23, 2010 11:30 am at 11:30 am |

Rick Franz

SPITZER? You have got to be kidding me. You guys couldn't do better than him?

He can put a sentence together, I'll grant you. But he remains a arrogant, hypocritical laughingstock. His opinions on politics would be the LAST I would care about. Rod Blagojevich will probably be your next talking head.

How about putting a credible, hard working, honest American in the public eye instead of a discredited joke of a man.

America deserves better.

June 23, 2010 11:32 am at 11:32 am |

Frenchbuggerer

Amazing...CNN gives a job to this little squirt baldheaded philanderer that was the gov. of New York. Just what other dirty boulders will they be looking under to fill anchor positions on their staff???

June 23, 2010 11:33 am at 11:33 am |

Anonymous

What happened to Campbell Brown???

June 23, 2010 11:34 am at 11:34 am |

Slider

LOL

CNN and Spitzer.

LOL

Well, it's a fit, that's all I can say.

What's next? Ken Salazar as commentator?

June 23, 2010 11:35 am at 11:35 am |

jamie litner

What a shame that CNN decided to choose someone of Elit Spitzer's poor moral character to represent them. Mr. Spitzer spent years sleeping with girls who were not much older than his daughters. And he got caught because he was involved in a financial scheme that is most commonly used by terrorists and drug dealers.
It's sad that you seem to have sold out just to compete with MSNBC and FOX.
Way NOT to go CNN

June 23, 2010 11:35 am at 11:35 am |

Stephen in Bedford, TX

As a true progressive/liberal I like Parker and even though I was totally disappointed with Elliot Spitzer over his hypocrisy, politically he is an excellent choice.

June 23, 2010 11:36 am at 11:36 am |

capricorn116

Bummed. I enjoyed Campbell's no bias no bull approach. Kathleen sounds interesting. Too bad they couldn't get her a cohost who is known for something other than sleeping around.

June 23, 2010 11:36 am at 11:36 am |

IndyNY

Commercial News Network?
Let me be the first New Yorker to say how proud we all are that our ex-governor's legacy will be put to such good boosting CNN's ratings once again. Two years ago we watched the endless live coverage on CNN following Spitzer's shameful fall from grace; now we're supposed to tune in to listen to his opinions on crucial issues? Should we assume that there won't be any topics have any morality component the debates? I would expect this from some second- or third-rate shock-factor show. This is a solely ratings boost and profit-motivated business decision, and some of your readers/viewers are smart enough to know when they're being fed a line of bull - especially those of us in NY who made the mistake of voting for him.

June 23, 2010 11:36 am at 11:36 am |

thor

Is CNN trying to take viewers away from MSNBC? I'm sure these people are just going to use this show for their own self promotion.

June 23, 2010 11:36 am at 11:36 am |

Lydia

So they are going to reward this slime bag with a lucrative contract/and TV program for his whoring around, and a supposedly respectable woman has agree to co-host it. What does that say about her? What does that say about CNN? Definite shortage of shame and decency on all sides.

June 23, 2010 11:36 am at 11:36 am |

Matt

REALLY, CNN? The best you can do is this corrupt hooker-trolling scumbag? No wonder people don't respect this network anymore. I've stuck with you guys for a while but after seeing this I think it's time to bail out.

June 23, 2010 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

tpbco

I guess they chose spitzer because marion barry was busy.

June 23, 2010 11:38 am at 11:38 am |

Mike Mc

wow that dirtbag must have an ace agent and publicist

June 23, 2010 11:38 am at 11:38 am |

Marilyn

You could not PAY me to watch these two clowns. CNN, your programming just gets worse every year!